The Candle in the Wind

The Once and Future King #4

by T.H. White

The Candle in the Wind is the fourth book from the collection The Once and Future King by T. H. White. It deals with the last weeks of Arthur's reign, his dealings with his son Mordred's revolts, Guenever and Lancelot's demise, and his perception of right and wrong.

Genres: Fantasy, Classics, Fiction, Arthurian, Historical Fiction, Mythology, Audiobook

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1940

About the author

Born in Bombay to English parents, Terence Hanbury White was educated at Cambridge and taught for some time at Stowe before deciding to write full-time. White moved to Ireland in 1939 as a conscientious objector to WWII, and lived out his years there. White is best known for his sequence of Arthurian novels, The Once and Future King, first published together in 1958.

Reviews

[Michael Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first conclusion to White’s Arthurian epic (the second being the then unpublished Book of Merlin), The Candle in the Wind shows us the absolute futility of war.

“We cannot build a future by trying to avenge the past.” Arthur arrives at this understanding at the dawn of the final battle, where all his ideals have seemingly failed. This, of course, is the candle in the wind, his belief that all he has done will be forgotten, that it was all for nothing.

The humour of the early instalments is all but gone here and rightly so in my opinion. It’s poignant, poetic and painful. Mordred’s revenge made me wince as it unfolded. As relationships crumble – there are many, but notably Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot – I wanted desperately for there to be some hope for a positive outcome. I knew there was none, and not because I’ve read the book before, but because Arthur knows it is too late, that his doom (in the Ancient Greek tragic sense of doom) is inevitable.

Yet that hope does exist. Arthur passes the candle to Mallory. In turn, White passes it to the reader. Ah, what else is there to say? This is a timeless classic. It’s as relevant today as it was when first written. Probably more so. After all, if we are all carrying Arthur’s candle in the wind, what have we learned if we let it go out?

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Candle in the Wind redeems Gawain a bit for me, and brings Arthur back, and deals with Mordred. I remember studying this in class and it being pointed out that the timescale of these books is very clever: you start with bows and arrows in the early middle ages, with Arthur not being that far away in time from William the Conqueror, but by the end, there's cannons and Sir Thomas Malory. It was interesting to notice that properly this time, instead of being carried along by it.

Lancelot and Guinevere... Malory and White both talk about their constant love and so on as if it should excuse them, but neither of them make me believe it. Steinbeck might've, if he'd ever finished his work. But it's hard to get swept up in the drama and passion here when I believe the only really decent person is Arthur -- and then he's frankly unbelievable compared to everyone else.

The warmth and humour of the other books is pretty much gone by this point, though there are still moments of beauty and a lovely scene from which the title of the book is taken.

Absolutely useless for my dissertation, though.

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me: *knows the myths*
Also me: WHY IS IT SO SADDDDD

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The finale of Once And Future King is as exciting and well-made read as the rest, but also feels rather like a quick sum-up of all the events - it skips through the really good and exciting bits, even the final battle after a significant build-up and everything, replacing it all with (admittedly well-written) navel-gazing on Arthur's part. A mild disappointment in that regard, I have to say, but I felt an appropriate sense of crushing despair at the end anyhow, so it couldn't have been all that bad. Poor Gawaine.

I really need to read Malory's interpretation.

[Ashley.C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave five stars to this book because it makes me think the most. The once and future king is a school assigned book and it was boring at first because to me. It was hard to read, just imagine reading a book and checking the dictionary for about a thousand times per page, and I got really tired when there were huge paragraphs describing something. But in this book, I really got interested. I felt sad for Arthur, and thinking of the happy young Wart in the first book, I just can't help but feel sad for him. Arthur was a great king, a great friend, and a great husband. He cares for everyone, and even the son who hates him. Some people thought that he is too kind to be a king, but I don't think so. Arthur is kind, but not weak. He is a spirit of right, and he will live.

The candle in the wind was the darkest and the saddest of all four (five?) books, it illustrates all kinds of things: love, hatred, betrayal, and tragedy. Remembering the young Wart make me wonder, what if the Wart never became King Arthur. Will he be happy forever with Kay and Sir Ector? Does Arthur feel regretted for pulling out the sword? I don’t know. But now, I really hope he didn’t become king, if he has to have a bitter life and die in tragedy.

About the love between Guenever and Lancelot, I really hope Arthur can stop this. I don’t like Guenever and she sounds very mean in the book. I don’t understand how can a person love two people at a same time but even if it’s possible I think she shouldn’t betray Arthur. Yes, betray, because even if you have someone you like very much but you still have a husband of your own, you should just stick with your husband. That’s kind of talking about the ill-made knight. But when I read the part that Arthur was happy for Guenever and Lancelot to escape, I felt so sad that I just want to put down the book at once. Arthur! Can’t you be a little selfish at least! I know that Lancelot was a good knight and Guenever was not a very bad woman or else why whould Arthur love her in the first place. But I just can’t accept this kind of relationship, if Arthur can be just a little more selfish and cares for himself a little he could just kick Guenever out and then the suffering will be over.

At last Arthur needs to fight his own son. If I didn’t read the other books of the once and future king, I don’t think I will hate Mordred this much. Perhaps it’s because when I read the book, I can see him growing up, from the happy young Wart, to the great King of England. We watch him laugh, cry and suffer, and we all know that he’s a great and honest king with a kind heart. But I don’t think I can blame Mordred that much, and definitely neither Arthur. Fate is playing a naughty game, and it’s not those two’s fault for being involved. They all acted their best for their destiny.

Putting down the book, as the king rests, I wish the king lives, in his spirit, forever.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A combination of this book, the humid weather and general tiredness seems to have made small things momentous and oppressive today. Interesting to hear more of White’s views on war, and also a good reminder of how short the human race falls of the glory of God.

[Julian Worker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth book in the five-part series. When I finished this book, I wondered what could possibly be left to say in the fifth book?

The ending is quite sad as King Arthur prepares for a battle with his son Mordred. Before he leaves, Arthur passes on a story to a page called Thomas Malory of Newbold Revell, Warwickshire and explains to him that the idea of the Knights of the Round Table was like a candle, a candle Arthur had carried for many years using a hand to shield it from the wind. He tells Thomas that he's passing this candle to him now and Thomas tells Arthur the candle will not go out.

[Scott Sheaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Others have adequately described the context of the book within the series and so I will not waste your time by retelling it here. The Candle in the Wind is my favorite of the "Once and Future King" series. It's without the magic and fantasy I thrilled over in the first book in the series, The Sword in The Stone but is a more complete and complex work. It's "Shakespearian like" in that the seemingly innocent acts of the past all lead to consequences which meet at a crossroads in time to smite thee in the arse. The Thomas Malory work Le Morte d'Arthur is a great story but not well told. Thankfully T.H White has righted this wrong in the "Once and Future King" series.

[Wee Lassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank Goodness Mordred exists - otherwise everyone else would have to feel even an ounce of guilt for their part in the destruction of Camelot. Still, on the brighter side - I now hate Lancelot again, order is restored.

[Udy Kumra · Rating 5 out of 5]

12/20/23: 7 stars. I'm a sucker for a good thematic crescendo to a series, and wow this really delivered. I really like the choice to *not* show us the climax of the plot, but instead to end with a big thematic and character-driven diatribe, for that feels both in TH White's style (flashbacks to when the entire Roman War got a page or two) and appropriate for the particular story being told here. But yeah, every chapter here was sizzling with tension and drama, and things moved at such a brisk pace while also still feeling like every idea was given room to breathe and for the reader to truly ruminate on it. And it still left time for all its most heartbreaking moments. Honestly, a masterpiece.

Overall The Once and Future King is one of the best books I've ever read. I love this take on Arthurian legend and can't wait to continue my journey into the literature from here. My ratings for all the books:

The Sword in the Stone: 3 stars
Queen of Air and Darkness: 4 stars
The Ill-Made Knight: 5 stars
The Candle in the Wind: 7 stars

[Laura Braden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sumptuary law
Gareth was the best of us
The argent, a bend gules!

[Brendan Leipelt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting musings on the nature of war sprinkled into a classic tale of incest, chest beating, and everybody's favorite, despicable people getting away with being total assholes just because they're the main characters. You know those books/movies that drive you insane because the entire plot wouldn't have happened if just one person would have spoken up directly and honestly for 15 seconds? This is probably the grandfather that started the bullshit trend. Even all the way back to King Arthur, it's the most bullshit device ever introduced to the written page. Frustrating yourself and everyone else for the entirety of a story does not make tension or thrills or tragedy, it makes me hate you.

Except for the Ill-Made Knight, and my shiny new educated opinion on The Once And Future King, these four books were almost a total waste of time. Even the chocolate sprinkle moments of rumination into the building blocks of warfare lose their breadth by being no more than a bookend for the life story of what a piece of shit Lancelot and Guinevere were, and what a hand-wringing cuck Arthur was. I'm off to attempt Mists Of Avalon with the hopes that Bradley has better in store for this swimming pool than White did.

If you want a solid treatise on the nature of war, read what The Judge has to say in chapter 17 of Blood Meridian. Otherwise if you're here for a Maury Povich version of Shakespeare, dig right in the Once And Future King.

[kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh FINALLY some good fucking food!! the last 10 pages fully bumped it up half a star because i love any sort of metatextual acknowledgment of the characters knowing they're characters and understand that there are some things about the story they're in that cannot be changed. this was the first book in the series where we really get to see arthur as King Arthur interrogating his own legacy and upbringing and that's leagues more interesting than the chapters where white was just listing various things to fill up space. there will come a day when i will write a proper review of a book i enjoyed, but it is not this day.

[DangerKitty · Rating 1 out of 5]

Arthur is the King of Everything because he's the only person in the world capable of forming an original thought.

The first book is fun and lighthearted. Books two through four are just a bunch of adults crying loudly because of family injustices or something, a cripple who REALLY wanted to be pegged by his mom being mad she slept with anyone but him, and Lancelot proving on three separate occasions that he literally has more balls than brains.

The books are not interesting. They're outright frustrating.

Just read the first one and skip the rest.

[Birte · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was tragic because of the story and because it feels like so much wasted time.
The idea of the story, that is known in mythology is sad and tragic, but the way it was written, I felt no connection to the characters and therefore couldn't care less about what happened. The way how the tragedy came to be was just very poorly written in my opinion.

[Ellinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fourth and final part of The Once and Future King is definitely the best one.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Candle In The Wind, book four of The Once And Future King (1958), published together in the latter, and so ostensibly the last, until White added the final Book Of Merlyn nearly twenty years later, picks up on the twilight years of the stories of Arthur, Guenever and Lancelot. Simmering in the background of its predecessor, the story of Lancelot Dulac, The Ill-Made Knight (1940), was the Orkney problem, which had threatened his reign from the start, from before he had met and wed Guenever and Lancelot was knighted their champion.

It is a strange tale began of witches, of dark brooding, of accidental slayings (innocently committed), of accidental incest (innocently committed by one, wilfully by another), of murder, of matricide, near-fratricide, of bastardy, and all-round ill revenge. The tone of its inception commences The Witch In The Wood (1939), as good a beginning as that of Macbeth, though the darkness we expect of that second book does not continue throughout; though, like the witches' brew which sees that tome in, it bubbles beneath the intervening story like the black evil stuff of a cauldron, simmering without surcease.

Here, we have the strange clan of the Out Isles, led by Gawaine, the oldest, who hangs on to his Scottish brogue as though asserting his independence from the chivalric court of Arthur, his always-cunning and jealous brother Agravaine, whose nature is exuded even from his name, the peace-keeping youngest brother Gareth, and the blow-the-way-the-wind-blows middle brother Gaheris, all knights at King Arthur's court. But attached to them, by a trick of his mother's, Morgause - one of the three beautiful Cornwall sisters - is her son by Arthur, Mordred, the Richard III of them all. For Mordred is sour and bitter, his overreaching as much for spite as power.

If bed-tricks bring about an ambiguous hope at the end of All's Well That Ends Well (1605), and Macbeth (1605-6) picks up that ambiguity and turns it to darkest deeds, this brooding turn of the weather also affects the transition of Lancelot's story into Mordred's one. For Mordred - whose name, we can never shake off, sounds like 'murder' and 'dread', or 'morthbrood', a coven of witches, hinting both at black magic - is as intent on revenge for Arthur's abandonment of him as an illegitimate child as the Lot Orkneys have been for the accidental slaying of their father.

In the twilight of their time, Arthur, Guenever and Lancelot must deal with this dark revolt within the bright heart of Camelot. But loyalties are divided, motives mixed, and factions within the brothers a reflection both of their natures - the dark north of Scotland - their common grievances - an English overlord, who defeated their father and kinsmen - and their private grievances - starved of love by their mother, abandoned by their father. That Arthur loves them all is of little use, it seems. They are raw elements, beneath the chivalric courtesy, their raw passions blazed to lightning suddenly, where a son can kill a mother, and brother kill brother.

But Lancelot and Guenever's affair was bound to be found out some time, and the spiteful Mordred gets his wish, to disrupt the court, hurt the king his father, revenge Lancelot, and yet - to kill a queen, to burn her at the stake for treason? It may be a 'legal murder', but it is still a murder, cruel and atrocious. One thinks of Anne Boleyn and the beast Henry. But Arthur is just, kind, fair. Will his new civil justice force him to kill his Queen, the woman he loves? How does he reconcile his social need for impartial justice and wanting to save the two people he loves most?

White's penultimate tale (meant to be the last at the time) of The Once And Future King delves deep into the problems of justice in medieval society, in the dark ages tripping towards the light, as much as it does the nature of man and woman and the best and worst in them. Mordred and Agravaine at one end of the spectrum, dark spiders, with Guenever, Lancelot and Gawaine vibrating in the middle, showing several colours - and Arthur at the end, the bearer of the candle in the wind.

[Dahlia S]

After reading Candle in the Wind by T.H. White, I have come away with a different perception of Arthur and the Arthurian legend. Candle in the Wind paints such a different image of Arthur's reign than Sword in the Stone did, highlighting Arthur's human errors and acknowledging his mistakes while focusing the story on different characters. The affects of Arthur's relationship with Morgause and how his past mistake bleeds into his present life is one of the most interesting parts of the text, which affects the text by showing the reader that no one is perfect, not even king Arthur himself. The blurred lines between family loyalty and rivalry between Mordred and Arthur is also an interesting part of of the text, where at times the two are at arms against each other and other times on the same side. Arthur's lapse of judgement is also demonstrated in his reaction to the supposed affair between Guinevere and Lancelot, the two people that he trusts the most. Being able to read about the deterioration of King Arthur into his old age and seeing his human qualities is refreshing and an interesting twist to the Arthurian legend. This text is also unique in the fact that it is an Arthurian legend, but focuses largely on Lancelot and Guinevere, whereas in Sword and the Stone, Arthur was the primary focus throughout the book. Comparing the two Arthurian texts which I have read, that being Sword in the Stone and Candle in the Wind, personally I find Candle in the Wind much more appealing. The complicated and layered relationship between the characters and new image of King Arthur makes this story much more intricate and complex.

[Zuby]

This was such a great experience. I was genuinely sad that this is the end of White's series. The entire story is interesting but White really has some amazingly thought provoking writing in the last 20 or so pages where King Arthur really wrestles with whether his life's work of bringing peace and stability without violence has been pointless. It was also kinda cool to read and see the clear influences of both Marx and Freud infused from white into Arthurs mindset.

Seeing Arthur throughout the entire series try so hard to be a model of fairness and justice in the hopes that this will create a society without brutal violence was touching, and seeing how it doesn't come to fruition (to put it lightly) is kinda heartbreaking. Even though Arthur doesn't come to an answer, I however don't think this is White saying that its pointless to try and investigate the roots of violence in an effort to curb it on a societal level. In the end Arthur holds out hope even though he's unsure.

"The cannons of his adversary were thundering in the tattered morning when the majesty of England drew himself up to meet the future with a peaceful heart"

Such a great line to end the book on.

[Rogerio Lopes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esse talvez seja o mais amargo livro da saga e considerando que por muito tempo foi o último demonstra que o autor tinha no mínimo um olhar crítico para a humanidade. O que iniciou como um conto de fadas bobinho, com algumas lições de moral aqui torna-se um breve ensaio sobre a guerra e a impossibilidade de paz. Os acontecimentos que vão culminar na ruína e morte de Arthur são descritos num ritmo vertiginoso. Talvez incomode um pouco o fato de que Arthur não seja exatamente humano, nesse mais do que em todos os outros volumes, vemos alguém atormentado por um sonho, que ele mesmo pressente impossível. A história em si é simples, mas aqui e ali nota-se um subtexto profundo e incômodo. Por mais que só no último capítulo o autor nos permite de fato mergulhar na mente de Arthur, temos durante a narrativa a visão de um homem amargurado pela culpa e obcecado por um ideal. O final que inclusive dá nome ao livro é de uma beleza poética e trágica, a esperança como uma pequena chama que seu portador tenta proteger do vento.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In which our chickens come home to roost.

We are a long way gone from the youth and silliness of The Sword in the Stone. Arthur is past middle age now, and as many do at this point in life, he wonders what his legacy will be. He wants his legacy to be the new law and belief in justice he has worked to build his whole life. But unfortunately, he now worries that his real legacy is Mordred.

I’ll leave off rhapsodizing about the whole thing after The Book of Merlyn, but this book asks questions and discusses themes that are much deeper and darker than any epic fantasy that started for children has a right to. T.H. White was clearly grappling with the idea of war and what is right as World War II erupted around him. In this, he is both Arthur and Merlyn.

If this were 1958, I would have been happy with this ending, but at the same time, I’m very glad that I have one more book to watch it resolve.

[lin · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐️

King Arthur's reign comes to an end after a long line of betrayals. Warning: not advised to read if you don't get politics.

WHY was this SOOO political? I mean, I understand the whole Arthur trying to find a way to make laws and fairer living for his kingdom and all, but the sheer amount of politics made me want to give up. Also... Once again White doesn't disappoint and gives you the most 'white man' allegories and metaphors possible for the things happening in this book.

Seriously speaking: The writing itself, objectively, was good, there wasn't anything wrong with it, however the subject matter was a little heavier in this book than any of the previous ones. As you could probably tell from the last two paragraphs, I found that this book was heavily saturated with political themes rather than the magical motifs I would've expected from this series. I don't have a lot to say about this book in particular, it didn't really stand out.

[Ella L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What? NO IM NOT CRYING, YOU ARE!! This is the most stirring and heart wrenching book in the series "The Once and Future King" I have read. Lancelot and Guinevere still love each other, but stay apart because of there love of Arthur. Mordred is desperately trying to find a way to catch Lancelot in *ahem* the queens chambers, and a way to overthrow Arthur. The Orkney boys (who are helping him) don't care as much about Arthur, but want to see Lancelot and Queen Guinevere pay.
What will happen? Who will pay, and at what costs? This is a must read, but make sure you have read the other books first!

[Philippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always loved The Sword in the Stone, but didn’t continue with the series because I thought I’d miss the first book’s whimsy. But the whole series has been such a delight. The story gets progressively darker, and White really captures the pathos and tragedy of Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot. He’s also inspired me to finally read Mallory; he discusses his sources with such passion and insight. One of my favourite series of all time.

[Melissa Jacobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.5

I AM NOT CRYING YOU ARE. I am very emotional when it comes to Arthur and this whole series in general and just all Arthurian things are always going to put me into the depths of despair. This series is so nostalgic for me and I am so happy I decided to re-read this series this year. On to the Book of Merlyn and then I am done *cries over Arthur forever*

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the saddest novels I think I'll ever read. The entire quartet has been tending this way and of a piece from one book to the next. There is an unmistakable whiff of WW II in the background but it's a timeless set of novels that can stand on its own even turning a blind eye to the times in which it was written.

[Otone · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Lancelot and Guenever were gazing on the Age of Individuals.” A bit heavy-handed on the barely veiled allusions to modern politics but a wonderfully charming read nonetheless (the passage on Gawaine’s letter writing was a particular delight); the aching ending of the Arthurian legends is always a mournfully sharp and sordid decline and it is no different here. The last few pages’ pacifist ruminations on why we wage war were very poignant (indeed the genius act of tying the end of the age of Arthur to why men fight allows such an eloquent analysis of war) as was the interpretation of Arthur’s life in finding purpose for men through the Round Table and the hope of its return in the future.

[Samantha Vinci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole set was amazing. You can see the influences in almost every piece fantasy and a ton of non fantasy literature. Its witty and thoughtful and dramatic. I almost want to reread it again now because there’s so many great small elements to it.

[Matthew Richey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this emotionally moving. Arthur's ideals and principles force him to move against those he loves and mistakes and missteps in his younger years lead to the dismantling of the good he had worked for all of his life. There is a glimmer of hope in the end. Thoughtful in a melancholy way.

[Button · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have so much to say and no time to put it down. I'll be back to write a proper review, but for now: White's mommy issues and resulting misogyny gets in the way of so much beauty. Thank goodness for the last two pages.